Collaborate Disseminate
While the benefits of handwashing for public health are well-known, in some developing countries soap is an unaffordable luxury. Researchers have now developed a single-use, biodegradable soap-on-a-tab that shows great promise in improving public healt… Continue reading Single-use, biodegradable “Tab Soap” washes away cost barrier to hygiene
Wood isn’t usually very good at conducting electricity, but now scientists have created the first functional wooden transistor. It’s not the best, and it requires some processing, but it does work and could help make for biodegradable electronics.Conti… Continue reading First working wooden transistor marks a step toward biodegradable tech
Italian researchers have created a novel 4D-printed biodegradable soft robot shaped like a seed that changes shape in response to changes in humidity and can navigate through the soil. The device has great potential as a new way of monitoring the envir… Continue reading First 4D-printed, shape-changing ‘seed robot’ to monitor the environment
While reusing cutlery is always better than discarding it, most people aren’t going to be packing a knife and fork whenever they grab some fast food. With that fact in mind, scientists have designed a recyclable plant-and-wood-based material that disso… Continue reading Plant-and-wood-based material is strong, yet dissolves when discarded
Even though glass is praised for being fully recyclable, the US Environmental Protection Agency states that only about a third of discarded glass items actually get recycled. With that problem in mind, scientists have developed a new type of glass whic… Continue reading Experimental biodegradable glass breaks down when composted
The zebra’s distinctive appearance has been the source of much scientific debate, from its role in predator confusion, to how it can to deter horsefly bites. And recently, it was found that the animals can raise the fur of their black segments to trans… Continue reading Zebra stripes spark inspiration for smart, wearable source of electricity
While there are already a variety of implants that dispense medication within the body, most of them either can’t be externally controlled, or they eventually have to be surgically removed. A new one, however, uses light to avoid both problems.Continue… Continue reading Light-activated biodegradable implant delivers meds on demand
Although disposable plastic straws are being phased out in some countries, their “greener” replacements have a few shortcomings of their own. Well, scientists have now developed bioplastic straws that don’t get soggy, but do biodegrade when discarded.C… Continue reading Non-soggy biodegradable drinking straws made from wood waste
E-waste is one of the main unfortunate consequences of the widespread adoption of electronic devices, and there are various efforts to stem the flow of this pernicious trash. One new …read more Continue reading MycelioTronics: Biodegradable Electronics Substrates from Fungi
Plastics are made to last, which is great while they’re being used but not so great after they’re discarded. Now chemists at the University of Konstanz have developed a new kind of plastic that has all the durability of regular plastic, but biodegrades… Continue reading Chemical “breaking points” let new type of plastic biodegrade in days